A 2005 report by the Rand Corporation about the visual arts argues that the intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than sweeten an individual’s life — according to the report, it “can connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing and helps create the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion. Strong arts programming in schools helps close a gap that has left many children behind. “Arts education enables those children from a financially challenged background to have a more level playing field with children who have had those enrichment experiences,” says Eric Cooper, president and founder of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education. Matawa’s art education is guided by a teacher specialized in art education. Our Art Teacher helps students: